Interactions In Ecosystems

1
Interactions In Ecosystems

• Ecological Succession

2
Ecological Succession

• Key Concept
• Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to
  natural human disturbances.
• As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants
  gradually die out and new organisms move in,
  causing further changes in the community.

3
Ecological Succession

• Primary Succession
• Pioneer Species are the first species to
  colonize. On rock, usually lichens
• Pioneer Species build soil.
• Secondary Succession
• Follows Pioneer Species Usually Plants

4
Lichens

• Mutualistic Relationship Between Fungus Algae
  or Cyanobacterium

5
Ecological Succession

• Climax Community
• Mature, Stable Communities That Change Very
  Slowly.
• www.science-class.net Powerpoint on Ecological
  Succession

6
Ecological Succession

• In Marine Communities
• Whale Carcass
• Stage 1
• Attracts scavengers decomposers
• Stage 2
• Attracts Fewer, Smaller species. Area is
  fertilized
• Stage 3
• Heterotrophic bacteria chemosynthetic autotrophs